Located in Manhattan's Morningside Heights, Columbia University was founded in 1754 and currently serves over 40,000 students, faculty, and staff. Columbia is known worldwide for its academic excellence built upon rigorous study programs and world-renowned research.
Columbia University stands as one of the best universities globally and as one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the United States. According to the latest 2026 rankings, Columbia ranks 20th worldwide and maintains its position as the 15th best university in the US..
Columbia University offers a ‘’Core Curriculum’ based on the humanities which is studied by all undergraduates regardless of their major. The Core Curriculum stands at the heart of Columbia University's undergraduate experience and remains a hallmark of liberal arts education since its inception in 1919. The main goal of the Core Curriculum is to equip students with critical thinking skills to tackle "the insistent problems of the present".
The curriculum has evolved significantly over the centuries, adding Literature Humanities in 1937; Art Humanities, Music Humanities, and Asian Humanities were added in 1947 to broaden its Western-culture focus. The Core Curriculum has students interrogate a wide range of phenomena and cultural artefacts, from literary texts to film and fine art.
Columbia University hosts as many as sixteen different schools focusing on subject areas such as Business, Applied Science, Journalism, and Arts, each delivering a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes. The School of General Studies (GS) is worth mentioning since it stands as one of “the finest liberal arts colleges in the United States”. Moreover, it is geared to the needs of returning and nontraditional students who can choose to study either part-time or full-time.
Prime Manhattan Location
Columbia's location in Morningside Heights offers unparalleled advantages. The neighborhood, bordered by Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue, and 114th to 120th Street, features beautiful architecture, including the Gothic Revival Riverside Church, where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered the famous speech “Beyond Vietnam,” and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest Gothic cathedral in the United States.
The university's proximity to all five boroughs provides students with exceptional opportunities for enrichment in business, arts, technology, and public services. The excellent transportation access via the train and numerous bus lines makes traveling throughout New York City convenient.
Graduates benefit from a powerful alumni network that includes distinguished figures in politics, business, arts, and science. Coupled with NYC internship opportunities and strong industry connections, Columbia maintains outstanding job placement rates and employment outcomes. Moreover, the university provides free lifelong career services to all its alumni as well as specific career guidance for graduates from the General School of Arts and Sciences.
Columbia excels in research opportunities through its world-class research laboratories and top-tier faculty. The university's robust research infrastructure promotes innovation across multiple disciplines and includes renowned institutes such as the Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
Students frequently collaborate alongside distinguished faculty from the sciences, humanities, and arts. The abundance of digital resources and interdisciplinary centers elevates the university's stature in research publications and cultivates a spirit of innovation throughout the academic community.The research environment at Columbia provides undergraduate and graduate students with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking work that contributes to their fields and prepares them for future academic or professional endeavors.
Columbia takes pride in its low faculty-to-student ratio of approximately 6:1. This ratio enables highly personalized instruction and mentorship, supporting the university's educational philosophy of guiding students in their individual academic journeys.
In 20205, Columbia awarded $17 million in financial aid across the graduate and postgraduate student communities. Columbia offers comprehensive aid including need-based aid, merit scholarships, and fellowships. Work-study programs and student loans help bridge financial gaps for eligible students.
With over 500 student organizations and events, Columbia provides numerous opportunities for engagement. Students from over 100 countries enrich classroom discussions and foster a global outlook. Notable organizations include the Columbia Debate Society, Columbia Data Science Society, Sunrise Columbia sustainability group, and the Columbia University Performing Arts League.
Living in New York City presents significant financial challenges. The costs of rent, transport, and daily expenses can be hard to sustain, making financial aid and scholarships crucial for many students.
Competitive Admissions
The admissions process remains highly competitive. For the Class of 2028, Columbia accepted only 2,319 students out of 60,248 applications, resulting in an acceptance rate of 3.85%. This selectivity can be discouraging for many qualified and high-achieving applicants.
We conducted research and below you can find a comparison of the acceptance rates of various top universities in the US, including Columbia University. For your convenience, we have also sorted the data from highest to lowest.
For high school students aspiring to join Columbia's prestigious research community, we recommend completing a high-level research project before applying. Programs like those offered by Indigo Research help develop essential research skills and create unique projects that strengthen college applications.Indigo Research students show a 3.14 higher acceptance rate to Ivy League institutions compared to the global average. This kind of preparatory research can be invaluable for students targeting Columbia's competitive admission process.
What is Columbia University's acceptance rate?
For the Class of 2025, Columbia's acceptance rate was 3.66%, accepting 2,218 students out of 60,551 applications.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Columbia?
Columbia maintains a favorable student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 6:1, enabling personalized instruction and mentorship.
Does Columbia offer need-blind admissions?
Yes, Columbia uses a need-blind admissions policy for U.S. applicants.
How many student organizations are available at Columbia?
Columbia offers over 500 student clubs and organizations spanning academic, cultural, sports, and performing arts interests.
What are Columbia's current rankings? In 2025, Columbia ranks #13 for National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, #18 globally by Times Higher Education, #34 globally by QS World University Rankings, and #8 in both ShanghaiRanking and Center for World University Rankings.
What financial aid options does Columbia provide?
Columbia offers comprehensive financial aid, including need-based aid, merit scholarships, fellowships, and work-study programs. The School of the Arts alone allocated $13 million in student aid.
Where is Columbia University located?
Columbia is located in Morningside Heights, Manhattan, bordered by Broadway, Amsterdam Avenue, and 114th to 120th Street, providing excellent access to New York City's opportunities and transportation systems.
Looking into Columbia University? Prepare well with our research program for high school students that will increase your chances to get into top universities!
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Looking into Columbia University? Prepare well with our research program for high school students that will increase your chances to get into top universities!
